Generally speaking, there is one national organization and a number of different local branches. These groups currently focus on education and related issues. This national group underwent a large number of re-organizations and mergers over the years (from Meiji to the present), so a history would be rather complicated.

During the WW2 years, youths were given military training and participated in various events both of military and non-military natures.

The badges shown below may or may not be related to the Youth Academies (Seinen Gakkou 青年学校), which existed from 1935 to 1945 and were explicitly concerned with preparing the young (from the age of 12 to 19) for war.

Many badges have the local branch emblems, city or prefecture emblems, and the first kanji in the word 'youth' (青).

Merit Award

Eastern Union Patriotic Youth Brigade, Showa 9 [1934] May

The design has a rim of cherry blossom branches and blooms. At the top is an insignia for one of the Patriotic Youth Brigade groups.Inscribed 'Secretary [or Manager].' I guess this was a group official's badge.

The obverse has an imperial throne of some sort.Inscribed 'Emperor Enthronement Celebration, [Viewing?] Commemorative.' Perhaps this was given to those who were chosen to attend the ceremonies.The reverse: At the top is an insignia for one of the Patriotic Youth Brigade groups.Inscribed 'Tokyo, United Patriotic Youth Brigade Group, Showa 3 [1928] December 15th.'

Enameled Chinese 5-Striped flag on either side. The large black kanji in the center is the Patriotic Youth Brigade abbreviation.

Silver medal (6 cm diameter, very thick).On the obverse the large center kanji reads 'Prize.' Two figures, male and female, are on either side. The shape in the center is the outline of Hyogo Prefecture. Also inscribed 'Youth Group Original Supplementary Works Exhibition, Hyogo Prefecture, Patriotic Youth Brigade allied with the Girls' Patriotic Youth Brigade.'On the reverse: 'Imperial Year 2593 [1933], Showa 8 [1933] May 7.'

Silver medal (6 cm diameter, very thick).On the obverse the large center kanji reads 'Prize.' Two figures, male and female, are on either side. The shape in the center is the outline of Hyogo Prefecture. Also inscribed 'Youth Group Original Supplementary Works Exhibition, Hyogo Prefecture, Patriotic Youth Brigade allied with the Girls' Patriotic Youth Brigade.'On the reverse: 'Imperial Year 2591 [1931], Showa 6 [1931] February 22.'

Bronze medal (6 cm diameter, very thick).On the obverse the large center kanji reads 'Prize.' Two figures, male and female, are on either side. The shape in the center is the outline of Hyogo Prefecture. Also inscribed 'Youth Group Original Supplementary Works Exhibition, Hyogo Prefecture, Patriotic Youth Brigade allied with the Girls' Patriotic Youth Brigade.'On the reverse: 'Imperial Year 2592 [1932], Showa 7 [1932] February 28.'